WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.580 Good morning, folks. I feel slightly inadequate this morning because this is an incredible set 00:00:10.580 --> 00:00:21.920 of verses that have an enormous amount of truth in them. And as I said, when we spoke at the 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:31.820 1 John upstairs, I said you could spend a week off Bible teaching meetings and you probably 00:00:31.820 --> 00:00:37.620 wouldn't get through the section that we have. And I think it's equally can be said of the verses 00:00:37.620 --> 00:00:43.120 that we have before us today. There is so much in the verses that we have today that we are just 00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:49.460 going to scratch the surface ever so slightly and hopefully we can just see something of God's 00:00:49.460 --> 00:00:57.980 glory in there. Christmas is undoubtedly a wonderful time of year. 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:05.280 You know, over the last, we had a weekend in Vienna and over the last few weeks we've been in and 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:12.960 around Edinburgh and we've seen the twinkling lights and the Christmas markets and the Christmas 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:20.539 jumpers and you think of all the festive goodies that you've eaten, the lively parties that you 00:01:20.539 --> 00:01:24.819 might have been to and the joy of exchanging presents. Have you done that already or have 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:36.299 you still to do that? These things all contribute towards the magic of Christmas. And yet, amidst 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:42.899 all that excitement and activity, it's easy to lose sight of the slightly deeper meaning and the 00:01:42.899 --> 00:01:50.879 significance of Christmas. Last week, the children offered us that scene in the nativity sketch that 00:01:50.879 --> 00:02:00.319 they put on, a poignant reminder that at the heart of Christmas, there is a baby named Jesus. 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:09.579 You know, he is the centre of it all. And as we were imagining in that sketch, if Christmas was a 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:16.599 photograph, then rather than being tucked at the back somewhere in a corner, Jesus is and should be 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:25.319 the front and centre. I don't think it's a new idea to anybody here today. You know, even the simplest 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:36.259 children's Christmas carols that we sing remind us that Jesus came into this world as a baby. 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:47.819 And as we sing the more traditional carols, I think there's further truth that we find that help us just 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:56.299 to consider his birth and what it means for the Son of God to be found as a baby in a manger. 00:02:57.419 --> 00:03:04.340 I was smiling as we sung that first song there. I hadn't known the words of the hymns that we're going 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:09.639 to sing this morning. But as we sung through that, I thought that is our message this morning. It is 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:15.560 exactly what is found in these five verses. And not that you might be able to remember that at the 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:19.620 minute, but if you go home and you Google the words of that first hymn there, you'll just be, 00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:23.340 you'll smile. You'll get a bit excited. I was sitting on the bench there and I'm quite excited because 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:29.300 even in the breaking of bread that we had upstairs first, the section that Ian read and the way that 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:37.439 this ties together is just incredible. But when you think of the Christmas story, what do you see? 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:44.400 Is it just a serene image of Jesus lying in a manger, surrounded by shepherds and wise men and animals? 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:49.379 You know, that classic, not like Peter's picture with the mistakes, but that classic scene, 00:03:49.760 --> 00:03:56.920 which is beautiful and heartwarming. Is that the full story? Is that all that we consider? 00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:07.540 Well, John invites us to just look at Christmas in a wider context. I know we haven't necessarily read 00:04:07.540 --> 00:04:14.379 it in these four, five verses, but John invites us to look beyond the message and to reflect on what 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:22.199 arguably is the most extraordinary event in human history. In that first verse that we read in verse 14, 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:28.899 we encounter a profound truth that can transform our understanding of Christmas. 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:38.579 And as I've said, as we explore these verses, there is so much in there that we could speak for a week, 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:45.680 but I promise I won't keep you here until the Christmas Eve service on the 24th. John 1.14 starts 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:46.419 like this. It says, 00:04:46.599 --> 00:04:54.039 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. This, as I said, is a statement that just 00:04:54.039 --> 00:04:58.479 encapsulates the very heart of Christmas. Perhaps you've even seen those words on a card. 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:02.659 Not that many of us send that many cards anymore on a mantelpiece. And again, 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:08.620 we don't have the abundance of mantelpieces anymore, or you've sung them in a carol. Have you really 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:14.900 considered what these words mean? Well, I think this morning we're just going to spend a few minutes 00:05:14.900 --> 00:05:23.520 just thinking about that. What does it mean for the Word to become flesh? Craig, a couple of weeks ago, 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:30.760 spoke to us about this. And in the opening verses, in verse 1, John identifies the Word as Jesus. 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:41.920 It said that he existed in the beginning, he was with God, and he was God. Now, I don't tend to be 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:48.819 technical this morning because I don't know any Greek or Hebrew, but we are going to think about a 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:55.399 couple of words this morning because there's a rich meaning in the words that are used. This word, 00:05:55.399 --> 00:06:02.919 this word, the word, and you've probably heard this. I'm not going to tell you something that you 00:06:02.919 --> 00:06:08.199 haven't heard before, but most of you heard that word logos, which is word, is the word. 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:19.479 That's the Greek word. To a Greek audience, it was this principle of divine reasoning or creative order. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:26.640 You know, something to the Greeks that was abstract and profound, you know, something that existed 00:06:26.640 --> 00:06:34.680 beyond the created world. And to a Jewish audience, it would symbolise God's creative power. You know, 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:44.220 recall Genesis chapter 1, where God spoke creation into being. So for the world at that time, both for 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:51.640 the Jews and the Greeks, this title referred to God as an eternal creator who existed outside of time 00:06:51.640 --> 00:07:00.400 and space and matter. And also that he is the reason for the cosmic order, just the things that 00:07:00.400 --> 00:07:10.020 govern the created world. Well, John takes both of these perspectives and he makes this astonishing claim 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:18.039 that this eternal divine word, the creator of all things became flesh. 00:07:20.419 --> 00:07:21.159 You know, Jesus, 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:31.379 the eternal one, took on a human body and entered the world that he made. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:35.339 He wasn't a distant God, 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:45.459 watching from afar. Instead, he becomes one of us, fully divine and yet fully man. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:52.419 And I know over the years that we have thought about this when, in fact, even just that song that we sang 00:07:52.419 --> 00:07:58.939 with the children when we were going through John previously, when we talked about God, 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:02.239 the Lord, he has been fully man and fully God. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:06.000 And you might ask yourself at Christmas time, why did he do this? 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:07.500 Why would the eternal God 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:10.100 who 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:12.079 existed before time, 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:14.340 who created all things, 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:17.379 why would he 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.960 come 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:21.699 in human flesh 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:24.060 and be born as a baby in a manger? 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.300 Why would you do that? 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:28.699 Why would you, 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.560 if you think of God, 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.580 mighty and majestic 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:33.779 and full of 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:35.539 power, 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.460 why would you come 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.240 and 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.159 take on human flesh 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.180 and be found 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:42.500 in a manger? 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:44.539 Well, John tells us that. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:46.720 It is to reveal God's glory. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:48.180 And I think it's an incredible thing, you know, 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:49.360 just to reveal God's glory 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:50.320 and not only that, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:51.080 but to fulfill 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:52.740 his redemptive plan 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:53.240 for 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:54.039 humanity. 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:56.659 John writes, 00:08:56.959 --> 00:08:58.019 he dwelt 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:58.879 among us. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:01.039 This is a phrase 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:02.159 that, 00:09:02.599 --> 00:09:03.099 again, 00:09:03.219 --> 00:09:04.219 both to the 00:09:04.219 --> 00:09:05.980 audience of the day 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.360 would remember 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:08.379 that that dwelling, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:09.980 he made his dwelling among us, 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:10.620 would be 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:12.039 a 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:14.099 throwback 00:09:14.099 --> 00:09:15.639 to what happened 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:17.259 with the nation of Israel 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:18.120 as they journeyed 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:19.179 through the wilderness 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:20.319 to the promised land. 00:09:21.140 --> 00:09:22.980 The Greek word for this, 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:23.640 dwelling, 00:09:23.900 --> 00:09:24.960 or dwelt among us, 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:26.600 is that he pitched his tent 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:27.680 or he tabernacled 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.320 amongst us. 00:09:28.780 --> 00:09:29.800 And as soon as I say that word, 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:30.840 your mind goes back 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:31.400 to the Old Testament 00:09:31.400 --> 00:09:32.140 and you see 00:09:32.140 --> 00:09:34.220 the tabernacle there 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:35.420 in the wilderness. 00:09:36.920 --> 00:09:37.220 You know, 00:09:37.260 --> 00:09:38.320 we're transported 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:39.640 to that place 00:09:39.640 --> 00:09:40.760 where God's presence 00:09:40.760 --> 00:09:42.379 among his people 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.080 was in that 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:46.940 structure of 00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:48.380 wood and fabric. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.159 you know, 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:51.200 a sacred place 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:54.559 that the national Israel, 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:56.340 that went with 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:57.080 the national Israel 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:57.860 as they journeyed 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.519 through that land. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:00.039 But, 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:01.620 God's presence 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.419 is no longer 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:03.080 confined 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:04.039 to a structure 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:05.200 of wood 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:05.860 and fabric 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:06.939 or stone, 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:07.899 you know, 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:09.379 when that was made 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.200 into a stone temple. 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:12.159 Instead, 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.440 when we come to 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:14.799 this little section here, 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:15.440 we find that 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:17.100 he lives amongst us 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.100 in the most 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.560 intimate way. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:20.560 You know, 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:21.240 and that just means 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.519 the closeness of God. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.240 We often say this, 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:25.300 that God came near. 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:27.120 But do we really appreciate 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.300 how near 00:10:28.300 --> 00:10:29.639 God came to us? 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.040 Not only did he take on 00:10:31.040 --> 00:10:32.159 human flesh, 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:33.399 but he lived amongst us 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.420 and 00:10:34.420 --> 00:10:36.040 he experienced 00:10:36.040 --> 00:10:37.379 everything that we experienced. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.440 He experienced joy 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:39.139 and sorrow, 00:10:40.180 --> 00:10:40.720 everything that, 00:10:41.060 --> 00:10:41.399 weariness, 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:41.899 you know, 00:10:41.940 --> 00:10:43.060 he walked alongside 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:45.859 as one of us. 00:10:46.939 --> 00:10:47.119 You know, 00:10:47.119 --> 00:10:47.799 this is the wonder 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:49.979 of the incarnation. 00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:51.199 Just that, 00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:52.739 what we mean by that 00:10:52.739 --> 00:10:54.519 is that the eternal 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:55.359 son of God, 00:10:55.439 --> 00:10:56.199 the one who created 00:10:56.199 --> 00:10:57.079 all things, 00:10:57.599 --> 00:10:58.159 would come 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:59.139 into this world, 00:10:59.479 --> 00:11:00.799 not as a distant observer, 00:11:01.599 --> 00:11:02.599 but as an active 00:11:02.599 --> 00:11:03.579 participant. 00:11:05.239 --> 00:11:05.659 Now, 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:06.319 consider this, 00:11:06.719 --> 00:11:07.439 without a body, 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:09.559 it's more difficult 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:10.279 for us to 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.079 relate to God. 00:11:11.080 --> 00:11:13.020 It's why the nation 00:11:13.020 --> 00:11:13.480 of Israel 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.860 and the Old Testament 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:16.120 went astray 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:16.780 so often. 00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:18.639 Because their view 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.180 of God 00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:19.740 and the way 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.340 that they're related 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:20.780 to him 00:11:20.780 --> 00:11:21.480 is different 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.180 to the way 00:11:22.180 --> 00:11:23.440 that we see him 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:24.160 now. 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.000 You know, 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.259 our minds 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.480 can only really 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.360 think in the 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:30.540 frame of reference 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:31.680 of created things. 00:11:32.300 --> 00:11:33.060 What we can touch, 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:33.560 what we see, 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:34.200 what we hear, 00:11:34.420 --> 00:11:35.120 what we can smell. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:36.980 By becoming 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.660 human, 00:11:38.180 --> 00:11:38.440 Jesus 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:40.920 closes that 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:41.240 gap, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:41.719 from being 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:42.479 that divine, 00:11:42.959 --> 00:11:44.339 eternal spirit 00:11:44.339 --> 00:11:45.539 to being something 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.199 that we can, 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:47.240 as we have sung, 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:48.299 something that we can 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.939 hold in our hands. 00:11:52.579 --> 00:11:53.360 And he lived 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.139 a perfect life 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:55.159 in that body. 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:57.399 And he offered 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:57.959 that life 00:11:57.959 --> 00:11:59.199 as a sacrifice 00:11:59.199 --> 00:11:59.879 so that we might 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.379 be free 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.159 from the judgment 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:01.799 deserved 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.979 by our rebellion 00:12:02.979 --> 00:12:04.500 against God. 00:12:04.839 --> 00:12:04.980 You know, 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:05.480 that's why we, 00:12:05.579 --> 00:12:06.719 that's why we 00:12:06.719 --> 00:12:07.579 celebrate communion. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:07.660 salvation. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:10.020 The bread 00:12:10.020 --> 00:12:10.720 and the wine 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.440 reminds us 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:11.940 of his body 00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:12.379 that is given 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:12.820 for us 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:14.180 and the blood 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:14.940 that is shed 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:16.180 for our salvation. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.160 Jesus took on flesh 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:19.180 so that he could 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:20.379 give that body up 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.180 for our redemption. 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:24.100 He had to take 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:24.600 on flesh 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:24.980 to be able 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.400 to do that. 00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:26.840 And that is just 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.700 the most incredible 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.960 when you start 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:29.920 to really look 00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:30.360 in that 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.200 and see it 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:31.700 and just 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.840 appreciate 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:33.720 what that means. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:36.800 I mean, 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.320 I got excited 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:37.980 when I was studying 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.660 just, 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:39.820 you know, 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.060 this first 18 verses 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.580 as we've been going 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:41.860 through that 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:43.000 the last few weeks. 00:12:43.300 --> 00:12:44.040 There is so much 00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:44.600 truth in that. 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:44.940 In fact, 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:45.840 the whole Bible, 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.759 you find threads 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.340 that come from 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:49.120 the first chapter 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:49.800 here in John 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.980 that just run 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.740 through the whole Bible. 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:55.960 And that's why 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:56.820 at Christmas time, 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:57.700 we, 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.639 it doesn't matter 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.080 where you go 00:12:59.080 --> 00:12:59.440 in the Bible, 00:12:59.560 --> 00:13:00.180 you can find 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:00.639 a thread 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.460 that will link us 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:02.180 to Christmas. 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.000 But there's no other 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:04.899 section that I'd rather 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.820 speak about this morning 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:06.419 than just this 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.340 little section here. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:08.320 You know, 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:08.700 a baby 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:09.799 that was born 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.480 in Bethlehem 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.200 that was destined 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:11.940 to grow up 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:13.039 and carry the weight 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:13.759 of sin, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.279 of the world's sin 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.200 to the cross. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:18.519 You know, 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.059 as he journeys 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:20.360 from that manger 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.320 to the cross, 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:22.980 it just underscores 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.559 the profound love 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:25.879 and God's commitment 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:28.100 to redeem 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:28.720 his people. 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:30.480 Well, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:30.980 John goes on 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.799 to say, 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.600 and we have seen 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.120 his glory. 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.420 But what does 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:35.139 glory mean 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:35.759 in this context? 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:35.960 You know, 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.759 in the Old Testament, 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.360 God's glory 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.500 was often displayed 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:40.440 in incredible, 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.960 awe-inspiring ways. 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:42.139 You know, 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.820 you think about 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:44.860 the burning bush 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:45.779 or you think about 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:49.340 the thunderous display 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.300 with the cloud 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:50.840 and fire 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:51.800 on the Mount Sinai 00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:52.399 with Moses. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.320 Or the radiance. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.000 We've thought about 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.680 the tabernacle already, 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:59.259 but off that radiance 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.160 that existed within. 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:00.560 In fact, 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.199 there was a curtain 00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:02.719 that was hung there 00:14:02.719 --> 00:14:04.119 because God's glory 00:14:04.119 --> 00:14:05.459 was so radiant 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:07.299 that those who, 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:08.979 the curtain was there 00:14:08.979 --> 00:14:10.099 to shield people 00:14:10.099 --> 00:14:10.559 from that, 00:14:10.619 --> 00:14:11.299 otherwise they would 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.819 not have survived. 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.219 The glory is the 00:14:15.219 --> 00:14:15.779 manifestation 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:17.619 that is shown to us 00:14:17.619 --> 00:14:18.379 in his majesty 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.879 and his power 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.899 and holiness 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:21.899 in the Old Testament. 00:14:22.359 --> 00:14:22.659 In fact, 00:14:23.239 --> 00:14:23.839 when we think about 00:14:23.839 --> 00:14:24.119 Moses, 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:24.559 and I was reading 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.079 this recently, 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:27.599 when Moses encounters 00:14:27.599 --> 00:14:28.259 God's glory, 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.919 when he comes down 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.480 that mountain, 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.700 his face, 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.039 and he didn't even 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.039 have the full revelation 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:34.720 of God's glory, 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:36.139 he only got a glimpse 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.019 of the back 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.860 as it passed through 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.500 as he was hidden 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.080 in that rock 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:40.360 and yet his face 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.439 shone so bright 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:42.340 that men were afraid. 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:42.700 In fact, 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.299 it tells us in the Old Testament 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:45.580 that Moses had to 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.899 veil his face 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:48.639 because it shone 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.539 that bright. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.259 This is probably 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.279 one of the hardest words 00:14:54.279 --> 00:14:55.319 to sometimes get 00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:55.799 a head around. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.659 What does the word 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.259 glory mean? 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:58.620 Well, 00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:59.139 I had a quick look 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.219 in the dictionary 00:15:00.219 --> 00:15:02.439 and there is so many 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:03.139 things that we can 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.919 think about here 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:05.019 but, 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.059 and again, 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:06.740 this is a word 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.000 that, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.740 you know, 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.519 I struggle with English, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:09.759 right, 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:10.480 but doxa, 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.519 which is the word 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.659 where we get doxology 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.339 and doxology 00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:15.079 is just the liturgical 00:15:15.079 --> 00:15:17.179 praise of God 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:19.039 but the doxa, 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:21.419 that is the Greek word 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.000 for glory 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.740 and you see in here 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.159 that it covers things 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.139 like the abundance 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.259 or the wealth 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:27.959 or the treasure 00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:29.419 and if somebody 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:29.959 has that 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:30.980 then there is 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:32.439 honour 00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:34.219 that is given 00:15:34.219 --> 00:15:34.620 to them. 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:36.839 We see that 00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:37.899 in the second point 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.379 there around 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.139 the dignity 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:42.579 and the honour 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.259 that is given 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.039 to somebody 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.500 as, 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.740 who we would like 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.480 to glorify. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.720 You see there 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.319 that it refers 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:51.399 to the splendour 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.079 and the brightness 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.940 and the majesty 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.560 as we've seen 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:54.820 and we, 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.820 again, 00:15:55.920 --> 00:15:56.600 just pull your mind 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.200 back to that 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.980 image in the temple 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.000 where that radiance 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.860 shone so brightly. 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:04.220 And then we come 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.100 to point four 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:05.420 in here 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:06.100 and there's 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.980 more than this, 00:16:07.020 --> 00:16:07.720 it's just a little clip 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.340 that I took there 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.600 but we think about 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:11.200 the glorious moral attributes 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.600 and the infinite 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.639 perfections 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.860 of God. 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.340 It says this, 00:16:17.400 --> 00:16:18.480 that Jesus is the brightness 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:20.019 of the Father's glory 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:22.200 in Hebrews chapter one. 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.200 You know, 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:23.720 these are just 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.460 the attributes 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.180 of someone 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:26.259 that invokes praise. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.080 It's the manifestation 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:29.039 of these things 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.680 that we've just 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:30.700 thought about. 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:33.120 And sometimes we, 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.240 I mean, 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.899 I don't really 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.659 follow football 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.180 but I'm sure 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:37.440 there are some 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:39.159 football fans in here 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:39.779 and you might be called 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.500 a glory hunter. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.580 Sometimes we speak 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.080 of something 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.279 in all its glory 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.460 and all its revealed 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.220 and everything 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:47.879 that is revealed 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.620 about that thing. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.399 You see the full picture. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.920 It's just a manifestation 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:54.980 of all of the 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.500 attributes of God. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.340 But when we come 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.519 to 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:02.080 the Lord Jesus, 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.480 it's not necessarily 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.140 speaking about 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:06.100 these awe-inspiring, 00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.200 majestic, 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:08.960 mighty 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.900 revelation 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.259 of God's glory. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.660 It takes on 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:13.720 a much more personal, 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:15.440 profound dimension. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:16.779 You know, 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.200 Jesus, 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:21.480 even though 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.319 he is majestic, 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.099 even though 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.200 he is all-powerful 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.859 as we see 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.480 when he calms 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.379 the wind and the waves, 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.059 what Jesus 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.220 reveals to us 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.899 about God 00:17:29.899 --> 00:17:31.500 is his character 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.839 and his nature. 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:34.480 We go on to read 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:34.920 in our verses 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.059 that he was full 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.960 of grace and truth 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.899 and the witness, 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:40.559 the disciples 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.079 got to witness 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.839 his first hand 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.740 in his teachings, 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:43.440 in his miracles, 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.799 in his compassion, 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.480 the way that he 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.139 dealt with 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:47.240 people, 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.159 got to witness 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:49.899 it in his death 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:51.139 and his resurrection. 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.839 And each of these 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:54.740 scenes that we see, 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:56.500 especially in the Gospels, 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.859 just give us 00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:58.299 a glimpse 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:58.919 of the nature 00:17:58.919 --> 00:18:00.200 of God. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.079 John describes 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:02.440 the glory 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.119 as the glory 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.379 of the only one, 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.440 of the one and only 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.220 son who came 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.819 from the Father. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:09.980 You know, 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.019 Jesus is unique 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.879 in the fact 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.300 that he is 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:13.480 God's eternal 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.120 son, 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:15.740 fully divine 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:17.300 and fully man. 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.820 And through his life 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.340 he shows us 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.280 exactly what he's like. 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:20.640 I was thinking 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.520 about that verse 00:18:21.520 --> 00:18:22.100 just that was 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.600 quoted in the 00:18:23.600 --> 00:18:26.240 little dictionary 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.980 extract in 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.740 Hebrews chapter 1 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:29.140 that says that 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.820 the son is the 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:30.500 radiance of the 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.820 glory, 00:18:31.260 --> 00:18:31.860 of God's glory 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.560 and the exact 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.300 representation 00:18:33.300 --> 00:18:35.320 of his being. 00:18:35.540 --> 00:18:36.540 So when we see 00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:37.440 Jesus, 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.940 everything that we 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:39.720 see about his 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.720 being 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:42.539 has just given 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.160 us a glimpse 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:44.000 of God's glory. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.279 And remember, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.920 just to try and 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:47.799 summarise that, 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.039 the one who was 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.480 eternal in spirit 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.759 and in a way 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.579 unrelatable 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:54.120 takes on 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:55.700 a human body 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.799 to become 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.180 relatable, 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.299 to show us 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.799 what God 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.779 is like. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.620 And in everything 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:01.259 that you read 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:03.440 in the whole 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.079 of the Bible 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.880 that talks about 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.500 the Lord Jesus, 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.720 it just gives us 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.279 a glimpse 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.660 of who he is 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.240 and it gives us 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.640 a glimpse 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.640 of the glory 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.900 of God. 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.340 You know, 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:12.740 there are many 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:14.660 things that 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.220 show us 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:15.900 God's glory 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:18.019 and I think 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.420 the word is 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:18.779 used over 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.519 400 times. 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:21.660 It's actually 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:21.980 used a lot 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.400 more than that 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.519 but 400 times 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:25.200 roughly and 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.680 there's some 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:27.040 words that 00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:27.480 would be very 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.160 closely linked 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.000 but some of 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.259 these will 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.880 come to mind 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.000 and I encourage 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.120 you over your 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.640 lunch today 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.140 or over the 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.779 next few days 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.840 just recall 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.360 some of these 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:36.240 because you'll 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.820 just get excited 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.419 when you start 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:37.919 to see 00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:39.439 just this thread 00:19:39.439 --> 00:19:39.779 that goes 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.099 through the 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.779 whole of 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.539 scripture. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:42.779 Psalm 19 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.259 verse 1 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.559 I'm sure 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.079 I don't really 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.559 need to ask 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:44.980 anybody to 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.319 see it 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:45.939 but the heavens 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:47.179 declare the 00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:47.879 glory of God 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.399 and the sky 00:19:48.399 --> 00:19:49.119 proclaims his 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.679 handiwork. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.879 You come to 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:51.879 Isaiah chapter 6 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.319 verse 3 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:52.679 and it says 00:19:52.679 --> 00:19:52.859 this 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.119 holy, 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:53.720 holy, 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.439 holy is the 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.200 Lord Almighty 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.099 the whole earth 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:57.339 is full of 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:58.339 his glory. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.439 You come to 00:20:00.439 --> 00:20:01.279 Romans chapter 1 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.659 and it says 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:01.859 this 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.519 for what can be 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.359 known about God 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.319 is plain to them 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.099 because God 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:05.839 has shown it to 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.059 them. 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.000 For his 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.480 invisible 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.179 attributes 00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:08.960 namely his 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.940 eternal power 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.679 and divine 00:20:10.679 --> 00:20:11.299 nature has 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:11.859 been clearly 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:13.139 perceived ever 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:13.960 since the 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.119 creation of 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.619 the world 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.779 and the things 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.240 that have been 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.619 made. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.240 So we see it 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.779 in creation 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.119 but we see it 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:23.200 in man. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.240 We see it in 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.700 you and I. 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:25.839 Man was formed 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.119 as the highest 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.539 creatorial display 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.059 of God's glory 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.799 and in the 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.579 Bible it tells us 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:33.000 that man is the 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.679 glory of God. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.799 God's glory of God 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.400 but it also 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:36.960 tells us in 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.860 Romans chapter 3 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.740 verse 23 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.460 that we've fallen 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.120 short of that 00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:41.460 glory and we 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.240 aren't the 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.920 people who God 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:44.120 created us to 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:44.400 be. 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.340 When Jesus 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:46.980 comes in we see 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.500 that that glory 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.940 is re-established 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:52.019 and for all of 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.740 us who believe 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.200 in him 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.580 and we've been 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:55.940 thinking about 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.580 this last week 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:58.180 in the section 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.519 that Graham 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:58.920 covered 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:01.539 to all that 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:01.960 believe in 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.480 his name 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.140 who received 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.420 him 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:05.880 who believe 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.360 in his name 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:06.920 he gave the 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.300 right to 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:07.740 become the 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.279 children of 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.620 God 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:10.680 and in a 00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.100 sense 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:12.039 a little bit 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.640 of that glory 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.500 has been 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:15.440 restored. 00:21:16.080 --> 00:21:16.380 In fact 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.400 even just in 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:17.860 the gathering 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.279 today 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.860 it tells us 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.259 in scripture 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.700 that the glory 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.259 of God 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.120 is on display 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:23.380 because the 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.940 way that God 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.840 created us to 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.140 be 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:27.080 is displayed 00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.360 here. 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:29.519 If you're a 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:29.779 believer 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.639 if you're a 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:30.939 Christian 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:32.679 if you're one 00:21:32.679 --> 00:21:33.039 of God's 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.299 children 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.699 as we've 00:21:33.699 --> 00:21:34.039 read just 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.240 in that 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.799 last verse 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.579 then we 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.159 display 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.799 God's 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.019 glory 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.259 and we 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.559 do it 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:37.719 in the 00:21:37.719 --> 00:21:37.959 way that 00:21:37.959 --> 00:21:38.359 we live 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.579 in the 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.219 ways that 00:21:40.219 --> 00:21:40.519 we try 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.119 and emulate 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:41.659 the Lord 00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:41.919 Jesus 00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:44.259 and some 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.539 of that 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.059 has been 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.699 restored. 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:46.919 We're 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:47.519 reminded in 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.039 2 Corinthians 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.799 4 verse 6 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.079 it says 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.279 this 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.719 for God 00:21:49.719 --> 00:21:50.479 who let 00:21:50.479 --> 00:21:51.559 light shine 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:51.959 out of 00:21:51.959 --> 00:21:52.439 darkness 00:21:52.439 --> 00:21:53.119 has shone 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:53.359 in our 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:53.740 hearts 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.439 to give 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:55.059 the light 00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.719 of the 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:56.199 knowledge 00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:56.659 of the 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.199 glory of 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.519 God 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:57.900 in the 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.160 face 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:58.400 of 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:58.720 Jesus 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.100 but we 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.559 have this 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:00.920 treasure 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.559 in jars 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.000 of clay 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.680 to show 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.039 that the 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.700 surpassing 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.420 power belongs 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.940 to God 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.920 and not 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.279 us 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.220 and that 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.759 is just a 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.220 little bit 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.279 of God's 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.759 glory that 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.440 comes through 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.779 us 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.600 but it's 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.019 just a 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.380 faint 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.100 picture 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.200 in comparison 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:14.720 to what we 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.600 see in 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:15.920 the Lord 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.240 Jesus. 00:22:17.080 --> 00:22:17.539 When we 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:17.960 see the 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.400 Lord Jesus 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.580 we see 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:19.960 God 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.420 his life 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.940 his actions 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.580 his words 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:22.799 reflect the 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.519 heart of 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:23.940 the Father 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.400 God 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:25.720 and whether 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.039 that's 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.279 through 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.120 if we 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:27.640 just look 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:27.840 at the 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.160 miracles 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.600 through the 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:29.140 gospels 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.299 you know 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.720 whether that's 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.140 healing the 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.059 sick or 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.660 comforting the 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.440 broken hearted 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.559 or confronting 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.100 injustice 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:35.440 Jesus reveals 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.539 the very 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.160 nature 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.400 of God 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.059 in a ways 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.559 that we can 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.100 understand 00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.519 and that we 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.200 can relate 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.460 to. 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.720 John concludes 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.259 this verse by 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.820 saying that 00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:47.140 Jesus is full 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.820 of grace 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.980 and truth. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.619 These two 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.240 qualities are 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.759 at the core 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.740 of who 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.439 God is 00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:55.599 and what 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.119 is offered 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:56.579 through the 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.039 Lord Jesus. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.019 You know 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.700 grace is 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.519 God's unmerited 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.480 favour to 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:01.799 us. 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.519 His love 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:02.779 and his 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.259 mercy is 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.019 freely given 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.899 despite our 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:07.359 rebellion 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.039 and our 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.139 unworthiness. 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:09.720 You know 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.500 I've already 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.019 quoted Romans 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.539 chapter 3 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.099 verse 23 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.519 and it says 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:12.779 this 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.619 we've all 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:13.980 sinned 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.619 and we've 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.079 all fallen 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.599 short of 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.700 that glory. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.700 None of us 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.039 could ever 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.740 earn God's 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.000 favour 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.359 through our 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.939 own efforts 00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.339 and yet 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.939 through Jesus 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:24.339 grace is 00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.399 extended as 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.819 a gift. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.799 His 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.579 sacrificial 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.079 death on 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.379 the cross 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:29.899 provides the 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.240 ultimate 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.039 expression of 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.339 this. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.519 Offering 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.299 salvation to 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.839 all who 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.500 believe and 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:34.859 that is 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.399 something that 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.240 we come to 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.899 sometimes just 00:23:37.899 --> 00:23:38.500 gloss over at 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.059 Christmas time. 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.139 But again 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:41.460 just to 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:41.899 summarise 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.960 a baby was 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.480 born in a 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.279 body in 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.679 order to 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:46.759 die and 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.399 the only way 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.700 that we 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.000 can be 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.280 offered 00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:48.920 salvation 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.920 is in 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.400 the death 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:50.940 of the 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.900 Lord Jesus. 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:52.820 You know 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:53.360 grace means 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:53.560 that we 00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:53.880 don't have 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.519 to strive 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.380 to earn 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.660 God's 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:55.980 approval. 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.300 It's not 00:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.720 about what 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.120 we do 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.019 but it's 00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.420 about what 00:23:59.420 --> 00:23:59.840 Christ has 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:00.060 done. 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.080 There's a 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.400 quote by 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:01.940 Martin Luther 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.900 and it 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.420 says this 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.440 the law 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.480 says do 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.840 this and 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.259 it's never 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.580 done. 00:24:08.040 --> 00:24:08.320 Grace 00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:10.000 says believe 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.120 this and 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.380 everything is 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:13.080 already done. 00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:14.600 We're not 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:14.920 going to spend 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.280 a huge amount 00:24:15.280 --> 00:24:15.700 of time on 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.620 that verse 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:16.939 that it 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:17.519 talks about 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.439 that the 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:18.739 law was 00:24:18.739 --> 00:24:19.119 given through 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:19.659 Moses and 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.419 grace and 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:20.939 truth came 00:24:20.939 --> 00:24:21.279 through the 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:21.759 Lord Jesus. 00:24:22.179 --> 00:24:22.479 We're going 00:24:22.479 --> 00:24:23.859 to focus on 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.819 this grace 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.359 and the 00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:25.819 truth as 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.279 beautiful 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.079 attributes of 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.399 the Lord 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:27.839 Jesus that 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.179 is on 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:28.779 display. 00:24:29.739 --> 00:24:30.219 Truth on 00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:30.439 the other 00:24:30.439 --> 00:24:31.219 hand is 00:24:31.219 --> 00:24:31.659 the ultimate 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.259 reality of 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.579 who God 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:32.819 is. 00:24:33.699 --> 00:24:34.299 In a 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.739 world that 00:24:34.739 --> 00:24:35.679 is full of 00:24:35.679 --> 00:24:37.639 confusion and 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:39.579 lies and 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.899 shifting values 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:46.220 grace and 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.860 love. 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.660 He reveals 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.220 God's plan 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.820 for humanity 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.000 and he 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.960 reveals the 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.980 path to a 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.460 relationship 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.080 with him. 00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:55.920 Jesus is 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.759 the embodiment 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.920 of both grace 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.560 and truth as 00:24:58.560 --> 00:24:59.240 we see there in 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.220 the end of 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.920 verse 16. 00:25:03.280 --> 00:25:04.300 It meets us 00:25:04.300 --> 00:25:04.580 in our 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.160 brokenness. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:06.759 You know 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:08.320 grace offers 00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:09.040 us forgiveness 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:10.000 and hope. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.359 And truth 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.319 grounds us 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:16.980 guiding us 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.399 in this 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:17.720 world. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.079 And I'm 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.799 sure you 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.879 know as 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.359 we often 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:21.859 say when 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.139 we meet 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:22.420 on a 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.579 Sunday 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.599 morning that 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.279 there is so 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.019 much conflict 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.720 and confusion 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.339 and chaos 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.700 in this 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.000 world. 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:27.799 And yet 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.059 when we 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.619 come here 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.279 and we 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.819 think about 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.299 the truth 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.819 it is 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.119 something 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.740 that grounds 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.680 us both 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.000 in our 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.559 thoughts and 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:33.819 in our 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.839 thinking and 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.480 in the way 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.819 that we 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.399 live. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.839 Truth also 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.680 just reveals 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.059 to us 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:41.539 God's 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.940 love and 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.539 the purpose 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:43.920 that he 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.440 has for 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.019 all those 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.480 who believe 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.899 in him. 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.319 And then we 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:49.619 come on to 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:50.139 the last point 00:25:50.139 --> 00:25:50.379 here. 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.960 The father 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.720 that has 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.519 been made 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:52.799 known. 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:54.839 So what 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.139 does all 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.539 this mean 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.019 as we 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.139 approach 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.639 Christmas? 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:58.980 You know 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.279 before I 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.619 share some 00:25:59.619 --> 00:25:59.960 points, 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.700 in the 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.159 New Testament 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:03.159 when we 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:03.539 read about 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.579 God it 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:04.940 normally 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.379 refers to 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.259 God as 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.599 a father. 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:08.519 it's the 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:08.859 reason that 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.159 the Lord 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.839 Jesus came 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.359 in the 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:10.719 form that 00:26:10.719 --> 00:26:11.139 he did. 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.359 And when 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:12.679 you start 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.359 to realise 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.019 just the 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.980 intricacy of 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.359 the whole 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:15.939 story you 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.659 realise how 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:17.779 glorious the 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.159 message of 00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:18.480 the gospel 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.779 is. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.839 Jesus came 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.059 in the 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.359 form of 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.699 a son 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:21.839 because that's 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.099 how he 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.759 wants us 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.379 to relate 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:23.980 to God 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.579 as a 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:24.819 father. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.699 And in 00:26:25.699 --> 00:26:25.959 the New 00:26:25.959 --> 00:26:26.299 Testament 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:26.879 that's what 00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.240 we see 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.719 right the way 00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:27.879 through. 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.240 We see 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.919 it when 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:29.399 the disciples 00:26:29.399 --> 00:26:29.819 asked the 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.219 Lord Jesus 00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:30.740 to teach 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.259 us to pray 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.339 he says 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.119 father who 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.439 art in 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:33.679 heaven. 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.539 Paul in 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:35.899 all of his 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.299 letters 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.879 when he 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.319 prays he 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:38.859 prays to 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.339 God as 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:40.980 a father. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.240 And the 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.659 Lord Jesus 00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:43.259 has shown 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.619 us the 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.139 relationship 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.539 that we 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.099 can have 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.899 with God 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.180 as a 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.099 father in 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.019 his life 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.659 on earth. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:49.940 But what 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.240 does it 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.619 mean when 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:50.899 we come 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.299 to Christmas 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.319 what does 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.599 this mean 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:52.899 to us? 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.139 What do 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.680 we take 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.879 from this? 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:55.980 Well first 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.440 of all it 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.019 reminds us 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.460 that there 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.279 is far 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.539 more to 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.000 this story 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.559 than just 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.180 a baby 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.639 in a 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:02.839 manger. 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.240 It's a 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.919 story of 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.519 God stepping 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.859 into the 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.139 world. 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:08.039 to rescue 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.379 us. 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.440 The eternal 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:12.079 word becomes 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.980 flesh so 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.259 that we 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.159 can know 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:14.740 God. 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:15.859 So that we 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.440 can experience 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.379 his love and 00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:17.799 that we can 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.460 be transformed 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.319 by his 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.059 grace. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.579 Secondly it 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.159 challenges us 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.839 to see Jesus 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.339 for who he 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:23.799 really is. 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.220 He's not just 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.899 a figure in a 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.559 nativity scene 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.240 or a character 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.379 in a Christmas 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:27.819 carol. 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.359 He is the 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.919 creator and 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.539 he's come to 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.359 be the 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.720 saviour. 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:33.940 He's the 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.859 embodiment of 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.379 God's 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.399 glory. 00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:38.099 And if we 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.899 recognise that 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.799 truth it 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.319 should change 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.579 how we 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.059 approach 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.839 Christmas and 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.079 it should 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.519 change how 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.339 we approach 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:44.659 life. 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:44.939 It should 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:45.359 change how 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:45.959 we live 00:27:45.959 --> 00:27:46.500 day to 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.679 day. 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.679 And finally 00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:49.319 it calls us 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:49.919 to respond. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:50.819 You know if 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.639 Jesus is full 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.199 of grace and 00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:52.500 truth, 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:55.880 if he is 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.740 the revelation 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.680 of the 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.539 eternal God, 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.319 if he took 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.259 on a 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:03.880 body and 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.299 as the 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.500 words of 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:05.880 that carol 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.240 would say 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.200 born that 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.720 man no 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.180 more should 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.680 die, how 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.319 should we 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.420 respond to 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:10.640 him? 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:11.920 Will we 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.420 allow his 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.519 grace to 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:13.900 change our 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.160 lives? 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.500 And will 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.140 we build 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.180 our lives 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.559 on the 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:19.140 truth that 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.400 he reveals? 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.660 You know 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.279 Christmas time 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:24.039 it's often 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.440 because we 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:24.859 take a day 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.139 or two 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.539 off but 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.079 Christmas time 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.680 is a time 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.399 for reflection 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.200 and it's a 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.519 time for 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:28.859 renewal. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.359 It's an 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.240 opportunity to 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.200 rediscover 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.700 as we've been 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.139 doing over the 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.500 last three 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:33.879 weeks in 00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:35.339 these 18 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.000 verses to 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.539 rediscover 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:38.039 the heart 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.279 of the 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.559 season. 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.379 You know to 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.000 move beyond 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.399 just a 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.200 surface level 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.879 a few 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.500 carols and 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:42.879 a carol 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.480 service and 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:43.859 a few 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.940 Bible verses 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.059 on a 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.619 Christmas card 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:46.859 on the 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.440 mantelpiece. 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.359 And it 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.079 allows us to 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:50.799 just engage 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.180 with the 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:52.099 profound 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.240 truths that 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.759 we see 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:55.099 in this 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.059 section. 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:56.919 You know as 00:28:56.919 --> 00:28:57.359 we celebrate 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.480 Christmas and 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:58.959 all the 00:28:58.959 --> 00:29:00.000 busyness you 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.159 know we 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:00.500 just had a 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.980 conversation 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:02.019 just before 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.519 we started 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.679 and everybody 00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.359 that you 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.980 talked to and 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.539 I'm sure that 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.219 Hazel and the 00:29:06.219 --> 00:29:06.659 team that were 00:29:06.659 --> 00:29:06.980 on the 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.539 welcome team 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:07.959 this morning 00:29:07.959 --> 00:29:08.259 when they 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.519 shook their 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:08.839 hand and 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.159 said how 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:09.539 are they 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.359 then they 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:10.919 probably said 00:29:10.919 --> 00:29:11.679 I'm busy. 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.119 Well Christmas 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.839 time is a 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.500 busy time but 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.459 let's not allow 00:29:15.459 --> 00:29:16.319 that busyness to 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.199 overshadow and 00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:18.019 distract us from 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.119 the wonder of 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.419 what we're 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:19.839 celebrating. 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.740 the word 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.359 becomes flesh 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.259 God 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:25.279 comes near 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:27.839 his glory is 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.059 revealed and 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.879 it's revealed in 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.579 a gentle way 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.819 that's full of 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.899 grace and 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.439 truth. 00:29:33.899 --> 00:29:34.000 You know 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.579 whatever you are 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:34.819 in your 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.500 relationship to 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.939 God this 00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:36.859 truth invites us 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:38.039 to draw near. 00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:38.599 You know if 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.659 you already 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:41.240 believe then 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.659 it should fill 00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:43.199 our hearts with 00:29:43.199 --> 00:29:43.959 gratitude and it 00:29:43.959 --> 00:29:44.480 should shape the 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.839 way that we 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.480 live our lives 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.920 and that is a 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.640 big challenge to 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.500 us because it 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.660 is so easy to 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.720 just live as 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.680 the people out 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.160 in the street 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.980 rushing about 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.900 our daily lives 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:57.500 doing all the 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.440 things that on 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.000 the surface 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:00.500 celebrates Christmas 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.500 the giving of 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.500 presents and the 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.819 kindness and all 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.839 the other festivities 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.420 that we 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:07.599 enjoy. 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:07.859 joy. 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.759 But if you're 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.439 uncertain about 00:30:11.439 --> 00:30:11.699 Jesus 00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:15.559 then what I 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.019 want you to do 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.619 is to take this 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:18.019 season as an 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.879 opportunity to 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:20.179 just explore his 00:30:20.179 --> 00:30:21.459 love towards 00:30:21.459 --> 00:30:22.899 you and the 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.599 magnitude of 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.139 what he has 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:25.419 done for you. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.819 The God of 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.219 heaven the 00:30:27.219 --> 00:30:28.159 eternal creator 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:29.939 coming in the 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:31.139 form of 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:32.279 mankind 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.519 taking on a 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.159 body so that 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:34.740 that body could 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.359 be put on a 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.419 tree and 00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:37.480 across so that 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.220 you and I 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.599 could be 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.420 reconciled to 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:39.700 God. 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.400 You know this 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:43.180 Christmas may 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:47.700 it may be a 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.180 time for us 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.799 just to reflect 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:50.099 on that and 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.680 to allow the 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.059 revelation of 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.640 God through 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.700 Jesus to 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.299 illuminate our 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.819 hearts and our 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.160 minds. 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.680 Let's give 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.860 thanks for this 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.700 incredible gift 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.460 and allow this 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.099 grace and truth 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:01.460 to change our 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:03.400 lives in a way 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.120 that extends 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:05.740 far beyond the 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:07.460 25th or even 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:09.000 to the 6th when 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.400 you take your 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:09.860 Christmas tree 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:11.480 down but the 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.079 truth that we 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.559 see in the 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.460 Lord Jesus and 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.220 the glory that 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.100 we see of God 00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:16.620 in him let that 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.259 shape our lives 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.799 as we go into 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.279 2025. 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:20.779 Let us pray. 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:22.620 Heavenly 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.100 Father we thank 00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:25.500 you this morning 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.680 for your word 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.019 that reminds us 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.420 of who you 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:29.740 are. 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:31.039 A God who is 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:32.059 full of love, 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:34.440 a God who 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.460 before the world 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.299 began had a 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:37.779 wonderful plan of 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:39.299 salvation that 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.119 would come together 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.399 in the death of 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:41.799 your son. 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.419 And so our 00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:42.940 Father at this 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.619 time of year we 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:45.099 thank you for 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:45.899 this opportunity 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:47.980 just to reflect on 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:49.220 the real meaning 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.839 of Christmas, on 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.519 the reason that 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.419 the Lord Jesus 00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:53.359 came into this 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:53.740 world. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.779 Our Father we 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.359 thank you that 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.299 in him we see 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:58.099 your amazing love 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.119 displayed. 00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:00.479 and not only 00:32:00.479 --> 00:32:00.859 your love 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:02.219 Father but the 00:32:02.219 --> 00:32:03.119 full attributes 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.919 of your glory. 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:05.199 Father help us 00:32:05.199 --> 00:32:07.339 to be inspired 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.739 by our thoughts 00:32:08.739 --> 00:32:09.539 of him this 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:09.819 morning. 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.239 Help us to 00:32:12.239 --> 00:32:13.339 praise and to 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.219 worship you for 00:32:14.219 --> 00:32:15.139 all that we see 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.159 in your lovely 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.519 son. 00:32:17.679 --> 00:32:18.099 And our 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.659 Father as we 00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.339 spend time 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.939 together with 00:32:19.939 --> 00:32:20.919 family and 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.939 friends may it 00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:22.759 be that we can 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.799 encourage ourselves 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:26.000 and that we can 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.679 be encouraged 00:32:26.679 --> 00:32:27.639 within ourselves 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:29.280 as we consider 00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:29.680 him. 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.100 Father we thank 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:31.520 you for this 00:32:31.520 --> 00:32:32.040 time that we 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:32.420 have spent 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:32.880 this morning. 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.480 We thank you 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.000 for all that 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.540 the Lord Jesus 00:32:35.540 --> 00:32:36.380 means to us. 00:32:37.300 --> 00:32:38.420 And we thank 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.660 you for we 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.440 ask his things 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.860 and we give 00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:41.560 thanks in his 00:32:41.560 --> 00:32:41.840 name. 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:42.660 Amen. 00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:42.759 Amen.